Ennis Town Rock make history

By Seamus Hayes Ennis Town Rock A 1 Newmarket Celtic A 0 There were great scenes of celebration at Lees Road this Friday evening as Ennis Town Rock A were crowned Clare soccer premier league champions for the first time in the club’s history. Goint into Friday’s games, three teams were in the running for the title, Avenue United A, Newmarket Celtic A and Ennis Town Rock A. Avenue A secored their expected win over Hermitage A at the Fairgreen in a tie that finished 4-0 in their favour. To remain in the race, they needed Ennis Town Rock and Newmarket to play a draw but this cup final repeat saw the Ennis side avenge that result and deservingly take the league crown. The all important goal came in the first minute of the second half and it was scored by the team captain and former league of Ireland player Stephen Hickey. Before the break Newmarket suffered a huge blow when central defender Eoin O’Brien was sent off. The cup winners went into this game without a number of key players including Eoin Hayes (injured) Stephen Kelly (work commitments) and Alan Brigdale. The new champions could have stretched their lead in the final quarter but Trevor O’Donnell in the Newmarket goal made a number of good saves. After the game Clare soccer chairman Donie Garrihy presented the trophy to the winning captain Stephen Hickey and paid tribute to Ennis Town on their win Ennis Town Rock;–Stephen Loftus; Ethan Considine, Ritchie Neylon, JasonConsidine, Shane Daniels, David O’Sullivan, Eoin Glynn, Noel Frawley, Stephen Hickey, Gary Breene, Daryl Eade; Subs–Gary Collins for Green; AdrianWalsh for Frawley Ray Esedabe for O’Sullivan; Newmarket Celtic; Trevor O’Donnell; Seamus Considine, Paudie Hayes, Alan Kelly, Eoin O’Brien, Ian Collins, Kevin Fehilly, Michael Crosby, Daithi O’Connell, Ronan McCormack, Martin O’Neill; Subs–Eoin Kelly for O’Neill; James Cronin for Considine; Killian Howard for Fehilly Referee–Martin O’Brien